Rutland

PIERPOINT, Evelyn, Mr.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 314-315 
(portrait p 315)

Evelyn PIERPOINT, of Rutland, was born 10 June 1816 in Rutland [Rutland 
County, Vermont], son of Hon. Pierpoint and Abigail (RAYMOND) PIERPOINT. He 
is descended from the Rev. James PIERPOINT, who was the second clergyman of 
New Haven [New Haven County], Connecticut. The subject received the 
customary education in the public schools in Rutland, followed by a short 
course of study in Bennington Academy. When twelve years of age he was 
employed as a clerk in Rutland post office, and served a term of years as 
clerk in a general merchandise store in that place. In 1837 he took charge 
of the store of the Brandon Iron Company, and later formed a partnership with 
William Y. RIPLEY at Centre Rutland. He was for a number of years engaged 
with a dry goods jobbing and importing house in New York City, and was 
engaged in trade for four years in Lansingburgh [Rensselaer County], New 
York. He then returned to Rutland, and after engaging in business with his 
father-in-law for four years, erected in Mendon the first steam saw mill in 
Vermont, and during the building and operation of the Rutland & Burlington 
Railroad, was engaged in the lumber and bridge building business. In 1851 he 
engaged in the real estate business, and has been directly interested in the 
purchase and sale of many of the prominent transfers in his growing city. He 
was a member of the Council of Censors in 1854 and 1855, and was one of five 
delegates to the national convention in Philadelphia in June 1855.

Republican; was justice of the peace and for a number of years town 
treasurer; was inspector of finance under Governors WASHBURN, HENDEE and 
STEWART; was one of the directors and cashier of the National Bank of Rutland; 
was also one of the incorporators and directors of the Merchants' Bank in 
that city. He was one of the founders of Otter Creek Lodge of Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and is the only surviving charter member of that body. 
Also belongs to the Masonic Lodge of Rutland, and is a Congregationalist in 
his religious preference. On 04 June 1841 he [Mr. Evelyn PIERPOINT] was 
married to Sarah J., daughter of James and Miriam (BUTTRICK) BARRETT, of 
Rutland, who departed this life 07 May 1893. Five children were the fruit of 
this union: Kate Frances (deceased), Alice J. (deceased), Charles E. 
(deceased), Mary E. (deceased), and Annie Evelyn, now at home with her 
father. [The same date of death for James and Miriam and four of their five 
children also being deceased suggests deaths due to accident or contagious 
disease.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly